Bottom Line Issues

Reproductive Freedom: NWPC is Committed to Choice and to Publicly Funded Abortion

NWPC believes women must have individual authority over their reproductive health. We only endorse pro-choice candidates and help to elect them.

Choice encompasses many issues, including accessibility of contraception and abortion, research on reproductive technology, and family planning; public funding is essential to all women having access to a full range of reproductive health care.

Sexual Harassment: NWPC supports Enforcement and Education

Sexual harassment is unlawful sex discrimination. It constitutes a range of behaviors, some targeted at men. Many victims are afraid to report sexual harassment because they fear retaliation or lack knowledge about their rights.

NWPC supports meaningful preventive training programs for employers and workers; strong enforcement of laws and policies against sexual harassment; and protection of complainants from retaliation.

NWPC priorities are quality care responsive to the needs of the local community through a range of effectively-coordinated public and private programs; support for living wage and health care benefits for dependent care providers; and financial support for facilities which provide child or dependent care.

Equal Pay: NWPC Supports Equal Pay for Equal Work

Despite federal and state policies to eliminate inequity, women working full-time year around still earn substantially less than men for equal work, with the gap largest for women of color.

Women cannot achieve full political equality as long as they face economic discrimination; NWPC-endorsed candidates support equal pay for equal work, adequate support for enforcement of laws against discrimination, and expanding women’s participation in higher-paid traditionally male occupations.

The Equal Rights Amendment is the only guarantee we have of full Constitutional equality for women, as the courts and legislative actions have failed to ensure equal treatment under the law.

The ERA once won ratification by 35 of the 38 states required; NWPC-supported officeholders will support efforts to finalize that ratification and/or start a new and successful push for the amendment.

Non-Discrimination: NWPC Supports Equitable Treatment for All People

NWPC believes that active or passive discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other factor in employment, education, housing or other areas is detrimental to the good of a free society.

NWPC supports candidates who will take positive steps to promote mutual understanding and respect among all people, and to reduce intolerance, inter-group tension, and discrimination through education, legislation and enhancement of public awareness.